1975 Baseball Season

Below are more headlines from the 1975 baseball season, including the first black manager and standout individual performances:

Frank Robinson Named Manager of Cleveland Indians

FrankRobinson Named Manager of Cleveland Indians

Not since Jackie Robinson crossed the color line in 1947 had such a progressive move been made in baseball as when Frank Robinson became player/manager of the Indians -- the sport's first black manager. On Opening Day, Robinson thrilled a crowd of 56,715 by hitting a home run off Yankee Doc Medich to lead the Tribe to a 5-3 victory. On the last day of the season, Robinson and the Indians left the fans somewhat discontented as they finished in fourth place in the East Division (15-1/2 games out).

Ted Simmons Has His Best Year

Ted Simmons was one of the game's greatest offensive catchers. He had extraordinary switch-hitting power, whacking home runs from both sides of the plate in a game on three separate occasions. His greatest season was in 1975, when he batted .332 (second in the National League).

Bobby Bonds Is a 30/30 Man

Bobby Bonds was one of the most talented and traveled outfielders in the game. Traded to the Yankees prior to the 1975 season, Bonds played one year with New York. He reached the 30/30 plateau with 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases. He played under the California sunshine in 1976, his home run total dropping to ten and his swipes holding at 30.

Ron Cey Lets Bat Do Talking

Christened the "Penguin" due to his stocky stature and jerky running style, Ron Cey put in ten years at third base for the Dodgers. During that decade, he clubbed 228 homers and played in six All-Star Games. In 1975, Cey hit .283 with 25 home runs and 101 RBI. Oddly, in his 16-year National League career, Cey never played a position other than third base.

Johnny Bench Saves Face in 1975 World Series

The 1975 World Series was not, to say the least, Johnny Bench's finest hour. The legendary catcher batted a meager .207 in seven games. Bench did, however, flirt with a moment of greatness, as he drilled a home run to help his team to a 6-5 victory in game three. During the 1975 season, Bench drove in 110 runs and stole 11 bases. The following season would be a reversal for Bench. He would have his worst season of the decade, but would hit .533 in the Series.

Joe Morgan Brings 1975 Series to an End

The 5' 7", 150-pound Joe Morgan brought the seven-game 1975 World Series to an end with the single stroke of a bat. Little Joe lined the game-winning hit off reliever Jim Burton to score Ken Griffey with the clinching run of the fall classic. Morgan enjoyed the first of two consecutive MVP seasons as well as two straight World Titles for the Big Red Machine in 1975. During the 1975 season, Morgan walked 132 times, stole 67 bases, hit 17 homers, and drove in 94 runs.

Pete Rose Hits His Peak

The 1975 season was the zenith of a 24-year career for Pete Rose. Prolific and sassy, Rose put up typical Charlie Hustle numbers to top the National League in runs scored (112), doubles (47), and dirty uniforms that year. Rose racked up 210 hits, just three shy of the circuit-high. The 1975 season marked Rose's move to third base, which turned out to be the third of four defensive positions he would play in his career.

Luis Tiant Wins One for Tiant in World Series

One of the most moving moments of the 1975 season came to pass just prior to the opening game of the 1975 World Series, as Luis Tiant was reunited with his father, Luis Sr., who made the trip from Cuba to Fenway Park in Boston. The younger Tiant responded to the presence of his father by hurling a five-hit shutout that day.

Carlton Fisk Dynamic in Series

Carlton Fisk was a prime example of the adage that most baseball heroes hail from small-town America. Fisk put his hometown of Charlestown, New Hampshire, on the map even before the final out of the 1975 World Series. Known for his supreme catching skill, Fisk proved his offensive worth by batting a pair of crucial home runs in the fall classic that season.

Check out additional highlights from the 1975 baseball season on the next page.